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US asks Sri Lanka to quell anti-Muslim riots

Three persons were killed and nearly 100 injured when a Buddhist a mob went on rampage and torched several Muslim-owned shops and businesses in cities across the south-western coast.

PTI | Updated: Jun 16, 2014, 22:40 IST

Three persons were killed and nearly 100 injured when a Buddhist a mob went on rampage and torched several Mus... Read More

COLOMBO: The United States on Monday asked Sri Lanka to quell an anti-Muslim riot that has killed three and wounded nearly 100 members of the minority community in two southern tourist regions of the country.
"We urge the government to ensure that order is preserved and the lives of all citizens, places of worship, and property are protected. We urge the authorities to investigate these attacks and bring those responsible to justice," a statement by the US embassy here said.

"We also urge all sides to refrain from violence, exercise restraint, and respect the rule of law."

Three persons were killed and nearly 100 injured last night when a Buddhist a mob went on rampage and torched several Muslim-owned shops and businesses in the Muslim- dominated areas of Beruwala, Dharga Town and Aluthgama on the south-western coast.

Authorities have imposed indefinite curfew in the areas of Aluthgama, Beruwala and Dharga Town — about 60 kilometres from the capital Colombo.

The roots of the incident go back to last Thursday when a Buddhist monk was allegedly beaten up in the Beruwala town after a traffic incident.

Reports said a section of the press had also come under attack from the rioters.

Reporters from the Sunday Leader English weekly and Divayina'a Sinhala language daily complained of assault by the rioters.

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